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It was the best-selling children's paperback of 2016 and now David Walliams' Awful Auntie follows Gangsta Granny by hitting the road, including a run at the Theatre Royal. Here's what he had to say about it...

What or who inspired Awful Auntie?

It may not be the answer you were expecting but I am obsessed with the film ‘The Shining’. I wanted to create a horror story where a child was trapped in a house with a dangerous relative, cut off from the outside world. As for the character herself I had a lot of fun creating Aunt Alberta. Villains are always so much more fun than heroes. I wanted her to be funny as much as scary, which is something my literary hero Roald Dahl always did so brilliantly.

Did/do you have any awful aunties?

I am lucky enough to have three nice aunties, so no Alberta is not based on them. In writing the book I let my imagination run riot which is normally the best way to go.

This is the second time you’ve worked with Birmingham Stage Company. Why do you think the collaboration has been so successful?

I think I share a sense of humour with Neal Foster who runs BSC and has written both adaptations, so it has been very harmonious. Also the company are really successful, and have been making magnificent family shows for years, so I completely trust them.

David Walliams

How did you feel watching Gangsta Granny and seeing audience reactions?

You feel like a magician when as an author you see your book come to life. It’s a real thrill to hear audiences laughing, one that never leaves you even though I have been making comedy shows of my own for many years.

What did you like best about the show?

I think the heart of the story is intact, but there are lots of great new jokes too. The cast are fantastically talented and all work off each other brilliantly. I couldn’t be happier with it.

Eighteen months on, are you surprised at how successful Gangsta Granny has proved to be?

I feel it should now be on stage somewhere in the world until the end of time. Then I can retire. I am proud of the book; it seems to have really struck a chord with readers, so I am glad that more and more people can enjoy the story by seeing it on stage.

Bearing in mind the colourful array of characters in Awful Auntie, do you think there are any particular challenges in bringing it to the stage?

I think the world of Awful Auntie is very heightened, for example, Aunt Alberta has a henchman who is actually an owl. So I think capturing the tone of the book and still making it believable will be the biggest challenge. Also trying to balance the humour with the frightening moments is never easy, but I have every faith in the BSC.

(Image: Mark Douet)

How do you anticipate children will react differently to the stage show than reading the book?

When you read a book it’s normally on your own, whereas when you watch a stage show you share the experience with an audience. You are likely to laugh more in an audience, so hopefully the stage show will be a hoot.

What do you hope children will take away from seeing the production?

Stella is a pretty self-reliant heroine, and so I hope children will be inspired to find the strength within themselves to deal with bad situations. Also Stella is posh and even has the title ‘Lady’, but by the end of the story she realises none of that is important and that all people should be treated the same. I believe that too.

And what message is there for adults?

The message for adults is don’t lock your niece in a country house, or you may end up being killed by a giant snow-owl.

Nights out in Nottingham

WHAT IS THE STORY?

Awful Auntie tells the story of Stella, who when she set off to visit London with her parents had no idea her life was in danger. Waking up from a coma three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Aunt Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie. David Williams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship features a very old car, a very large owl and a very small ghost.

THE BOOK

It was published in September 2014 and went to reach No.1 in the children’s book chart, staying there for seven weeks. The paperback was published in February 2016 and has sold 212,000 copies, making it the best-selling children’s paperback of the year. Combined sales of the hardback and paperback have reached 950,000 copies.

It has helped to make Walliams one of the country’s best-selling children’s authors, with four of his books charting in the 2016 children’s top ten. They have also been translated into over 50 languages, bringing worldwide sales to 16.7 million.

WALLIAMS: THE AUTHOR

Walliams began his publishing career at Harper Collins in 2008 with his debut novel The Boy in the Dress . Since then he has written nine more books plus five picture books. Three of his books have won National Children’s Book Awards.

THE PLAY

Awful Auntie marks the Birmingham Stage Company’s 25 anniversary. Starting life at The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, the company’s productions now visit Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore. For twelve years they have produced all the Horrible Histories stage shows which now regularly feature in the West End. Their sixth anniversary at The Garrick this summer will feature MoreBest of Barmy Britain.